Monthly Archives: July 2010
Holidays
I am going to take a break. I will still be posting from time to time, but not as frequently. It may take a while for me to approve comments so please bear with me. I do appreciate everybody who takes … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Conservative and UKIP MEP Poor Attendance Records
The Votewatch website has published attendance figures for MEPs for the last year. These need a little interpretation. They only reflect MEPs attending the plenary voting sessions of the Parliament. Like most of my colleagues I spend more time in committees … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Further EU Action against Trafficking
A new EU Directive on human trafficking will oblige the UK to prosecute British nationals who have committed trafficking crimes in another country. The legislation allows for a higher standard of assistance to victims, including free legal counselling and legal representation and will also bring in special protective … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
UKIP Ally Goes Potty
The Evening Standard Diary ran this clip today. ‘All sorts of potty ideas seem to emanate from the European parliament but London MEP Mary Honeyball has found an EU equivalent of the Early Day Motion which seems downright cracked. Italian … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
If only you knew what really goes on in the European Parliament
One of the things I have found most frustrating in my 10 years as an MEP is the seeming impossibility of getting information on the EU and what we do as MEPs out to a wider audience. Indeed, one of … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Honeyball’s Weekly Round Up
Although the week’s news was dominated by the minute-by- minute updates of alleged Northumbrian murderer, Raoul Moat, the coalition government haven’t escaped the headlines entirely. Michael Gove remained in the spotlight after he failed to shake off the furore following … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Tories whipped to abstain on HIV/AIDS prevention
Few things are more important to us both as individuals and also collectively than our health. Who would disagree with that old saying “you’re all right as long as you’ve got your health”? The British Tories would seem to be the … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Plans agreed for the new European Diplomatic Service
Today the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of plans to establish the new European External Action Service (EEAS). I am very pleased to see that there will be a strong commitment to gender balance in recruiting staff to the … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
Support Labour bloggers Alex Hilton and John Gray in their libel trial
Tomorrow two leading London Labour activists face a court action. Alex Hilton (right) was Labour’s candidate in Kensington and Chelsea at the General election and brought many a smile to my face with his legendary Recess Monkey blog, now sadly … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
London – the greatest city in the world
I was very angry to see this on the BBC website. “Is London sucking the life out of Britain?” The answer is an emphatic “no”. Far from extinguishing life, I truly believe London is the greatest city in the world. … Continue reading
Filed under Labour Party
